According to a criminal complaint, Connie Linh Tran, 49, of Anoka County, began receiving public assistance through the Anoka Couty Department of Human Services in 2015, WCCO reported. She submitted her most recent application for benefits Dec. 13, 2018, the television station reported.
Between August 2016 and July 2018, Tran willfully misrepresented or withheld information about her household income, court documents allege. As a result, Tran received $28,205.61 in benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Investigators became suspicious after Tran provided them with a bank statement showing large deposits and withdrawals inconsistent with her reported income, WCCO reported. Authorities forwarded Tran's file to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
Woman Obtained $28K in Public Assistance While Winning $190K At Casino https://t.co/1SdujuBKUa pic.twitter.com/CXsQvvxGYI
— WCCO - CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) December 7, 2019
Investigators contacted a compliance coordinator at Mystic Lake Casino and discovered that between Jan 1. 2017 and May 6, 2018, Tran received $190,896.69 in winnings paid out by cashiers at the casino, WCCO reported. Tran had never reported that income, according to WCCO.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Tran's bank accounts and determined she had been under-reporting her income. Three checking accounts revealed total deposits of $61,913.82 in 2016, $171,205.76 in 2017, and $85,388.14 through August 23, 2018, WCCO reported.
Information on file with the Department of Employment and Economic Development revealed Tran reported annual household income of $15,614.80 in 2016, $24,493 in 2017, and $26,176 in 2018, the television station reported.
If convicted, Tran could serve up to 10 years in prison, according to WCCO.
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